We mentioned on Thursday, the 13th ist Ang.
instant, that the British Government had put three questions to the Government of China, They were: (1) Why was the Imperial Edict not communicated by wire? (2) Why was the official who did his best at Wuhu degraded (3) Why were the Wusueh murderers so inadequately punished? The Chinese Government, we now learn, sent these questions to HE, Li Hung-chang to be answered. 'I'heir receipt caused some excitement in the Viceroy's yamen, but he has replied to them, and has been quite happy since he sent off his answers, flattering Limself that he has satisfactorily explained everything. His replies were: (1) It is the custom of China to send edicts by wire. This, of course, is a mere evasion, The case was too serious, and the issues too important, to admit of any delay. Time was an important factor if the matter was to be dealt: with seriously, as was undoubtedly the Emperor's intention, (2) The magistrate was degraded for other reasons. "This is obviously another evasion, as it was publicly stated at the time that he was degraded as a concession to the native public, which had denounced him for doing his duty in this affair. Such w reply as this can only injure China in the eyes of foreign Powers, and confirm the feeling that she is not to be depended upon. (3) That two culprits have been executed, and several others punished according to their offences. This reply comes far short of being satisfactory because the punishments fall far short of the requirements of Chinese law in cases of murder among themselves. No one asks for a vengeful retribution, but the honour of the government being at stake, it should make a near approach to the requirements of its own Tie in similar cases of crime among its own people in punishing the atrocious outrage at Wasueh, The Chinese must not encouraged to think that a riot which culminates in the murder of inoffensive foreigners will be more lightly punished than if the victims were Chinese.
Lord Salisbury added to these questions the demand that Hunan should ned, with the threat that if China could vot control her own people, the turbulent Hunanese, foreign Powers would take the matter in hand. lo this the Viceroy replies that China is perfectly able to control her own people. The conclusion is almost inevitable that if she is able, she is not willing to exercise her authority when foreign nations are involved. Meanwhile the Powers do not intend to be satisfied with these replies, and with what
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.